BRAVO turns to IAN BOTHAM for advice

DURHAM, United Kingdom – After the start of play on the second day of the final Test match between the West Indies and England was delayed, current Windies all rounder Dwayne Bravo sought out English legend and the newly knighted Sir Ian Botham for advice.
 
 "I spoke to him (Sir Ian) about an all rounder's job and how he balanced the workload of an all rounder and I also asked him if he sees anything in my game that he can assist me with," Bravo revealed after he made an unbeaten 43 in putting together a 77 run partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul to rescue the West Indies from 55 for 4.
 
 "You hear about players from all over the world as a kid coming up and if you get the opportunity to meet them I think it is very important that you get as much knowledge out of them because the game changes and you would liked to know what they used to do, I chose Mr. Botham for the simple reason that he was an all rounder and I'm looking to follow in his foot steps and that's my aim," Bravo said.
 
 "He told me not to let the situation of the game take away my natural style of playing and to be positive at all times and enjoy my batting most of all and in anything I do to try and enjoy my cricket," the right handed batsman said.
 
 Quizzed further by journalists about why he sought out Sir Ian, Bravo said he wanted to speak with him earlier but time did not permit.
 
 "I saw him in Manchester and I approached him and asked him if it was possible to have a word with him but we didn't get the opportunity to speak then because of the situation of the game and the timeframe, coming here this morning I thought it was the right time with a delayed start," Bravo explained.
 
 "He was very keen, he said no problem straight away, he looked like an approachable person and he opened to me with a free mind and it was something that I enjoyed and I will cherish the pleasure of talking to him," the 23 year old all rounder said.
 
 "I must say that I am very thankful for the 25 minute chat I had with him this morning and I am actually putting some of his experience that he shared with me into this game," Bravo told journalists at the end of day media conference at Chester Le Street.
 
 He also said that he picks up valuable tips from contemporary players as well just by observing them in the field.
 
 "I pick out different aspects of the game from different players, I look at Freddie Flintoff, I look at Shaun Pollock, Jacque Kallis just to mention a few names," Bravo said
 
 Bravo said that he also seeks advice from his mentor and legendary West Indies batsman, the recently retired Brian Lara.
 
 "I also try to emulate Brian (Lara) in terms of certain style of playing and also whenever I am on the field I try to pick up different things from what the opposition batsmen are doing, I learn from KP (Kevin Pieterson), I learn from Alistair Cook an how he plays to his strengths," Bravo explained of his method of improving his game.
 
 Sir Ian played 102 Test matches for England and 116 One Day Internationals. He scored 14 Test centuries and 31 international fifties while taking 528 international wickets. Bravo is playing in his 23rd Test match and has three international centuries and 10 half centuries under his belt along with 120 international wickets.